If you are preparing to meet with a family law attorney, you might be wondering what exactly you should do beforehand. There are a few important things to do before your first meeting. Here’s how you can ensure you have a great first meeting with your attorney.
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting With a Family Law Attorney
Table of Contents
Prepare a Summary of Your Family
To help you to the best of their abilities, family law attorneys in Houston TX need to know about your family. There are some crucial pieces of information that your lawyer must have.
You should prepare to give a brief summary of your family history. It doesn’t have to be long and complex, in fact, for your first meeting, it’s best if it’s concise. Include information like when and where you and your spouse were married, the names and birthdates of children you have, and what you and your spouse do for work.
Know Your Assets and Liabilities
If you are seeking a divorce, then you should know what assets and liabilities both you and your spouse have. You should keep a list of what assets and liabilities belong to each spouse along with which ones are owned jointly.
Some of the assets you may have include real estate, bank accounts, stock investments, vehicles, furniture, jewelry, and private pension plans. Some of the liabilities you’ll want to take note of include any debts that either you or your spouse have like credit cards, bank loans, and mortgages.
Know What Questions You Want to Ask
There are probably a lot of things you want to know as you prepare to meet with your lawyer. You should ask your lawyer any questions that you may have to get the clarity you need about your situation. Your lawyer will be more than happy to answer.
Still, it can be overwhelming to think about everything you want to ask your lawyer. You may be worried about forgetting to ask certain things. This is why it’s a good idea to write down all your questions and take them with you to your meeting. If you don’t get through all of them, don’t worry. You can ask them at your next meeting.
Ask Your Attorney What You Need to Bring
Your lawyer may need you to bring certain documents with you to your first meeting. If you’re not sure what to bring, ask.
Once you know what your lawyer needs from you, make sure to gather all of these documents beforehand so you’re not rushing to find them before your meeting. Keep them organized and have them ready for your lawyer when they ask for them.
Don’t Be Afraid to Bring Up Your Concerns
Along with questions, you may have some concerns related to your case. You should not hesitate to bring these up to your lawyer. Knowing what kinds of issues you are facing and most worried about will let them know how they can best help you.
For instance, if you’re getting a divorce and there are kids involved, you might be primarily concerned with coming up with a parenting schedule that works in the best interests of your kids. Or, you could be worried about family violence throughout your divorce. Your lawyer will help you come up with a plan to address these concerns.
Remember All Information Is Confidential
Going through familial issues like divorce can feel stressful, isolating, and even embarrassing. You may want to hide certain kinds of information to protect yourself from these negative feelings. But you shouldn’t hide anything from your lawyer.
All the information you share with your lawyer will be kept confidential because they are bound by attorney-client privilege. This means you don’t need to worry about anyone else finding out what you’ve spoken about. It also means that you should be honest and upfront with your lawyer in all matters, so they can help you properly.
How Do You Find the Right Lawyer?
When you’re searching for your lawyer, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Make sure that you look for a lawyer with the specialization and experience you need. You’ll also want to make sure that your lawyer has good availability and isn’t too bogged down by their caseload.
Along with these factors, you need to look for someone who can explain legal jargon and concepts to you in a way that you understand. It’s also important for your lawyer to be compassionate and understanding.
If you are dealing with a family law issue, you need to make sure you work with a qualified lawyer. You’ll also want to make sure that you are well prepared for your first meeting. Once your lawyer has a better idea of who you are and what your needs are, they’ll be able to help you.
